Characterful West Down House is an old manor house off the beaten track near Bradworthy in Devon on the rural North Cornwall border in SW England, UK.
Originally part of an old farming estate until 1909, it is believed the mansion dates back to the C16th or possibly earlier. This romantic retreat offers self-catering holiday accommodation as follows:
- three enchanting adjoining holiday cottages (sleep 2-4)
- a spacious apartment in the house (sleeps 4)
- set in over 5 acres of lovely gardens with large lawned areas, sculptures and long established woodland and shrubbery managed to encourage wildlife
- outdoor swimming pool (seasonal opening)
- a local village with shops, garage and pub (1.5 miles)
- ample off road free parking
- pet free, non-smoking accommodation cleaned and managed in accordance with government and industry covid19 guideines and risk assessments
- open all year round subject to any covid19 restrictions
West Down House and its accommodation is:
- set amongst beautiful rolling countryside in a peaceful and unspoilt corner of rural north Devon and Cornwall with distant views towards Dartmoor and Bodmin Moor
- near to some of the most breathtaking coastline and beautiful moorland landscapes in the UK. An area popular with walkers, photographers, surfers and often used as a location for tv and film productions
- close to quaint villages and towns with a delightful mix of ancient pubs and inns, restaurants, bistros, cafes and shops where you can enjoy locally sourced and produced food, drink and crafts
- owned by Richard Brookes, who has run the business for nearly 25 years. Richard is a keen photographer and walker who enjoys exploring the area and he is happy to share his knowledge of the area with you, if he can, to help you enjoy your stay. Some of Richard's work can be seen here at https://www.clickasnap.com/rtwbart which might also give you a flavour of the area.
Places of interest and activities popular with our guests:
- Clovelly: world famous traditional fishing village with quaint cottages and cobbled streets perched on steep cliffs above harbour
- Bude: seaside resort with sandy beaches, sea pool, lifeguards and surfing
- Moors: Dartmoor and Exmoor National parks and Bodmin Moor,
- Stately homes: Hartland Abbey, Arlington Court, Cotehele, Lanhydrock, Knightshayes, Buckland Abbey, Castle Drogo
- Castles: Tintagel (King Arthur and Merlin legends), Launceston, Okehampton, Lydford
- Cornish fishing villages: Boscastle, Port Isaac (Port Wenn in Doc Martin) and Padstow
- Devon fishing villages: Appledore, Clovelly, Instow, Bucks Mills
- Art: Burton Art Gallery Bideford, Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery (RAMM) Exeter, Broomhill Sculpture Gardens
- Cities and towns: Exeter, Plymouth, Truro, Bideford, Barnstaple, Bude, Launceston, Holsworthy, Okehampton, Tavistock, Tiverton, Crediton, Wadebridge, Bodmin
- Film, tv and book locations: Clovelly, Port Isaac, Hartland Abbey, Hartland Quay, Jamaica Inn, Poldark locations in Cornwall, Dartmoor
- Walking: coast path, Dartmoor, Exmoor, Bodmin Moor, Tarka Trail, Lydford Gorge
- Cycling: Tarka Trail, Granite Way, Tamar lakes, Camel Trail
- Surfing, kayaking, coasteering (instruction and equipment hire available at larger local beaches)
- Activities: Riding, sailing, climbing, swimming pools and fishing available locally
- Golf (Bude, Holsworthy, Royal North Devon)
- Family attractions: Milky Way, Big Sheep, Morwellham Quay, Exmoor Zoo, Watermouth Castle, Combe Martin Wildlife & Dinosaur Park, steam railways, Bodmin Jail,
- Beaches: Sandymouth, Duckpool, Crooklets, Summerleaze, Widemouth, Northcott Mouth, Crackinton Haven, Westward Ho!, Saunton Sands
- Industrial heritage: Morwellham Quay, Tamar Valley, numerous old tin and copper mine sites with engine house ruins, Bude Canal, Bodmin Moor, Calstock
- Neolithic and Bronze Age sites: Bodmin Moor, Dartmoor - various stone circles, cairns, standing stones, burial chambers, stone rows, hut circles
Day trips popular with our visitors:
- Eden Project (also concerts in summer months)
- Lost Gardens of Heligan
- Lands End
- Lundy Island (by boat only)
- Exeter, Plymouth, Truro
- Dartmoor, Exmoor and Bodmin Moor
- South Devon; Dartmouth, Torbay, Paignton Zoo
- Lynton & Lynmouth and the Valley of the Rocks
- St Ives
- St Michael's Mount